Axios Dallas

April 04, 2022
Happy Monday! New days bring new possibilities.
β Today's weather: High of 79 with thunderstorms tonight.
π΅ Sounds like: "Wavin' Flag"
π Programming note: Tomorrow, Axios hosts its first What's Next Summit, spotlighting innovators making their mark on the future of work, life and getting around.
- Register for the free, virtual event here.
Today's newsletter is a worldly 834 words β a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: β½ What a World Cup would mean to North Texas
FC Dallas fills up Toyota Stadium for most home games. Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images
While the financial cost-benefit analysis of hosting a World Cup is debatable, bringing the largest sporting event in the world to North Texas in 2026 could have impacts that go beyond the economics, FC Dallas president Dan Hunt tells Axios.
- Hunt is the chair of the committee established to bring 2026 matches to North Texas.
Driving the news: FC Dallas hosted a large watch party for the 2022 World Cup draw last week, and Hunt was on hand to talk about the social implications the 2026 tournament could have on the region.
Why it matters: After Dallas hosted several opening round matches β and one legendary quarterfinal match β during the 1994 World Cup, the local soccer scene got a boost that's still visible today.
What's happening: Hunt thinks there's a "realistic chance" North Texas could host the final match of the 2026 World Cup, but hopes the area will get at least a semi-final game.
What's next: FIFA could make decisions on 2026 host venues by the end of this year.
What we're watching: The U.S. Men's National team plays England, Iran and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine in Qatar in November.
- The U.S. team will likely include several players with North Texas ties.
2. π©βπΌ How many women hold office in Texas?

Texas women are underrepresented in city offices compared to the rest of the country, new data shows.
Why it matters: Half of Texans are women, except women only hold 29% of municipal offices in the state, according to data collected by the Center for American Women and Politics.
- Women make up just 27% of the state legislature.
Yes, but: Texas rose two ranks to 34th in the country this year. So, there's that.
The intrigue: Only one woman β Texas railroad commissioner Christi Craddick β holds a statewide office.
Zoom in: Fort Worth is the third most populous U.S. city with a female mayor behind Chicago and Phoenix.
- Last year, Mattie Parker succeeded her former boss, Betsy Price, who was mayor for a decade.
Zoom out: Hawaii and Alaska rank the highest in the percentage of women in municipal government β 50% and 48%, respectively.
- Colorado ranks third.
- Mississippi is the only state in which less than 20% of municipal offices are held by women.
Go deeper: Explore the full map.
3. π΄ Fixing Dallas' symbolic sign
The original pegasus atop the Magnolia Hotel. Photo: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The steel derrick holding the replica pegasus sign atop the Magnolia Hotel is in desperate need of repair.
Driving the news: The city's arts and culture committee will consider approving emergency repairs costing up to $357,904.19 to fix the derrick and support structure for the sign.
Why it matters: The derrick is a piece of Dallas history. It was erected in 1934 and once held the original neon pegasus on top of the Magnolia Oil Co. headquarters.
- At the time, the 29-story building was the tallest in Dallas.
Flashback: The original pegasus β the city's best-known symbol β remained on top of the building until 1999. A bright new version was lit on Jan. 1, 2000.
- That original was missing for over a decade until it was restored and installed on top of a new oil derrick in front of the Omni Hotel in 2015.
What they're saying: Engineers assessed the original steel derrick in 2020, and a restoration crew began work last November.
- The crew found that "this matter was even more urgent to address," according to a memo to City Council.
New jobs to check out
π΄ Donβt sleep on these new roles on our Local Job Board.
1. Development Director Dallas at AJC.
2. Account Executive at Axios.
3. Media Planner at Hawkeye.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a job.
4. π Burnt ends: Bite-sized news bits
Gnawing on a bit of news. Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
π©πΎββοΈ Sen. John Cornyn said he won't vote in favor of appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. (WFAA)
βοΈ Dallas-based Southwest Airlines canceled and delayed hundreds of flights over the weekend due to weather and tech problems. (DMN)
βοΈ The Tarrant County district attorney has dropped a 7-year-old capital murder charge against a mother accused of killing her baby after the former medical examiner said he could not conclusively determine a timeline in the death. (Star-Telegram)
βΎοΈ The Texas Rangers traded catcher Jose Trevino to the New York Yankees in exchange for two relief pitchers. (ESPN)
π¨ One person was killed and 11 others were wounded in a shooting at an outdoor concert in southern Dallas over the weekend. (FOX4)
5.π· One tulip farm to go
Pick as many as you want. Photo courtesy of Cormac West
Texas Tulips is a massive Netherlands-style tulip farm in Pilot Point with dozens of rows of bulbs blooming on a staggered schedule throughout the spring.
- It's owned and operated by a family of Dutch immigrants.
Yes, but: Unlike at the Dallas Arboretum, if you see a flower you want to take home, you can pluck it and purchase it for $2.50 a stem.
- The farm provides straw baskets to carry the tulips, adding a touch of Southern charm to the inevitable Instagram posts.
Where: Texas Tulips β 10656 FM 2931, in Pilot Point.
When: The farm is open 10am to 8pm seven days a week as long as there are tulips left.
Cost: $5 per person.
Pro tip: Pilot Point also has a nice little downtown with a coffee shop and a local museum.
- If you're already making the trip there, make a day of it.
Our picks:
π¬ Mike is already nervous (and excited) about the 2022 World Cup.
βΎοΈ Tasha is counting down the days to opening day.
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